Today in Soap Opera History (May 27)

1968: Dark Shadows' Carolyn fainted in the woods. 1993: Tad's
family was confused that he seemed to be in two places at once
on All My Children. 1994: B.J.'s memorial service on General
Hospital. 1999: Another World's Joe made a stunning revelation.

"If you don't know history, then you don't know anything. You are a leaf that doesn't know it is part of a tree."
― Michael Crichton

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1940: Radio soap opera Lone Journey, sometimes billed as "the distinguished American radio novel," debuted on NBC radio. Sandra Michael wrote the show in collaboration with her brother, Peter. The Montana setting was a place she had lived and the show was based on real people and incidents.

1968: On Dark Shadows, Carolyn Stoddard (Nancy Barrett) tried to break free from Adam (Robert Rodan) in the woods but fainted. A crying Adam picked up her body and carried her off.

1975: Susan Flannery aired for the final time as Laura Horton in Days of our Lives. Flannery had just won her first Daytime Emmy Award for work in the role two weeks earlier. She wasn't nominated again until 2000.

1980: On The Edge of Night, "Kirk" (Tony Craig) and Emily (Margo McKenna) announced to Dr. Leo Gault (George D. Wallace) and Molly their intention to move to Monticello and start a new life. Shaken up. Dr. Gault told Molly that "Kirk" was not Kirk Michaels, but someone's husband.

1992: On Santa Barbara, Reese (Forry Smith) arrived home just in time to save B.J. (Sydney Penny) from Ramon's assault.

1993: On All My Children, Tad's (Michael E. Knight) family was confused when he showed up looking perfectly fine right after they received a call saying he had been taken to the hospital with Dixie (Cady McClain).

1994: On Guiding Light, Julie agreed to testify against Bridget.

1994: On General Hospital, after Mac (John J. York) shared his memories with the other mourners at B.J.'s memorial service, Tony (Brad Maule) remembered B.J. as flashback clips were showing during a musical montage set to the Reba McEntire song, "If I Had Only Known." When Damien entered the chapel, Luke, Tony and Alan immediately made it clear to the uninvited guest he was not welcome.

Thanks to Enrique for sending in the item above.

1999: On Another World, Joe (Joseph Barbara) figured out that Tito (Troy Hall) could not be Paulina's (Judi Evans) child because she had a daughter, not a son.

2002: On The Bold and the Beautiful, Amber (Adrienne Frantz) was concerned about going back to work and leaving Little Eric with someone they hardly knew so Rick (Justin Torkildsen) tried to convince her to give Erica (Courtnee Draper) a chance.

2009: On The Young and the Restless, Ashley (Eileen Davidson) saw a vision of her father, John Abbott, as a snooping Adam wondered what was going on.

2011: Actor Jeff Conaway died at age 60. Best known for starring in the ABC comedy Taxi, his soap roles included Mick Savage on The Bold and the Beautiful and John Higgins in Berrenger's.